WHEN A former racing legend, NASCAR and IndyCar driver who also happens to be the first African-American who ever tested a Formula 1 car asks whether you would care to join an online conference call to discuss all things racing, you don’t have to think twice about it. 

Lewis Appiagyei, the 16-year-old racing driver from North London had recently watched Uppity, a Netflix documentary about the life and career of Willy T. Ribbs and felt very much inspired by it. Getting an opportunity to speak to the man himself and ask him for advice was certainly a chance that Lewis was not going to miss. 

The 90-minute long call with Willy and several other like-minded racers and racing enthusiasts from across the globe was insightful and motivating for the young driver.

Similar

Young Lewis finds himself in a very similar situation to Willy in his time which is why they are able to relate to each other so well. Being a black driver in a predominantly white sport is sadly still as rare today as it was back in the 1970s and talent alone will only get you so far in a profession that is exceptionally expensive. 

Lewis came to the attention of Willy’s manager Chris Miles, because of his international profile, racing achievements and recent inclusion in the Forbes Africa ’30 under 30’ list which marks him out as one of the most high profile young racing drivers in the country. Willy T. Ribbs is keen to ensure that there is succession when it comes to the presence of black drivers in top motorsports.

He feels that he paved the way to the route that eventually saw Lewis Hamilton make it all the way to the top, and Lewis Appiagyei could be the next one to carry on the baton.

Linked

Young Appiagyei is proud to be linked to the DNA of black motoring racing heritage through his connection with Willy and  Hamilton. When Anthony Hamilton (Lewis’ father) met Willy T. Ribbs he said to him “Your the reason why I wanted Lewis to be a racing driver.”

Call it irony or destiny when Anthony Appiagyei and Anthony Hamilton met at Buckmore Park race track a few  years back and talked about young Appiagyei, the same was true.  

Succession to Hamilton for Formula 1 could prove to be a smart and prudent business move for Liberty Media, the owners of F1.

In fact, when asked what Lewis Appiagyei could do in order to fulfil his goal of making it into Formula 1, Willy’s’ advice was to reach out to Hamilton. 

He acknowledges that racing at this level is still far too expensive for most young drivers but reckons that perseverance and determination are just as important as cold cash. He also speculated that the current coronavirus situation could lead to reduction in cost in Formula 1.

Nobody can be certain what the future holds but the recent strong comments from Lewis Hamilton about the lack of diversity in F1 has prompted a response from F1’s boss Ross Brawn to say: “We’re looking very strongly at how we can support racing at grassroots level.

Recognised

“I think we as F1 have recognised for a few years now that we want to strengthen our diversity,” Brawn said on Sky Sports F1.  

According to an article in Forbes, F1 has supported and sponsored the careers of some young drivers in the pass only it seems the help hasn’t extended to or benefited any black drivers thus far. 

The unprecedented offer of support to black racing driver’s is very much welcomed by the generation of kids who took to the race track to be like their hero Lewis Hamilton.

Brawn’s comments must be backed up by real action now, similar to those drivers who had a massive help from F1 over the years. In the case of young Appiagyei wanting to transition to British Formula-4 this year, that help can’t come soon enough.

Call

Appiagyei and his team will call for a meeting with Brawn said Anthony Appiagyei, to see how any of these initiatives will benefit the young black drivers, who are now preparing to climb the ladder to F1.

At present Lewis Appiagyei is undeterred and remains focused, by working hard on his physical fitness and practice on his racing simulator in order to be ready once things go back to some form of normality.